Posts Tagged ‘Separate but together’

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and the behaviors reflect.

Paul shares with Timothy a list of attitudes and behaviors in people to be on the lookout for. Although we pray that God saves all, some are going to refuse Him. Those that do, on a continual basis, Paul says to “avoid such people” (verse 5b).

Paul starts by saying “that in the last days” (verse 1) these kinds of people will be visible. The last days started at Pentecost and continue until Jesus’ final return. We definitely fit that timeframe. And we certainly see many examples of these attitudes lived out today in our societies.

Some of these attitudes and behaviors are easier to spot than others. Arrogant, Brutal, heartless, treacherous, reckless and swollen with conceit are some of the more obvious traits in people we are to avoid. Having the appearance of godliness but denying its power, unholy, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and not loving good may be harder to identify. At some point or other I think we all would have been included in this list. The difference though is between “visiting” the list and “living” there. Read more »